Powerlifting vs. Weightlifting

James J. Vassallo Jr. graduated from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the last 10 years, James J. Vassallo Jr. has worked as a title agent and president at Leader Settlement Services. His hobbies include writing and powerlifting.

A frequently asked question in lifting is: what is the difference between powerlifting and weightlifting. Emma Obayuvana, a trainer, described them both as competitive sports. While powerlifting is focused on lifting as much weight as possible in a single movement, such as a bench, squat, or deadlift, weightlifting has two motions. Weightlifting involves the snatch and clean and jerk, both of which are performed much faster. The distinction in weightlifting is that participants are rated not just on how much they lift but also on their skill and technique and lift control.

Another trainer, Tess Glynn-Jones, further explains the different approaches to the training between the two. She says powerlifting is more about growing strength, so competitors spend a lot of their time under tension, and everything they do is sluggish because they are focused on upping their power. However, in weightlifting, the training is broken down into exercises that try to perfect the movements. Because there is more room for error in weightlifting, everything is more focused on having a good movement pattern.